John Barrington Wain was an English poet, novelist, and critic, associated with the literary group "The Movement". For most of his life, Wain worked as a freelance journalist and author, writing and reviewing for newspapers and the radio.
Wain was born and grew up in Stoke-on-Trent, Staffordshire, the son of a dentist, Arnold Wain, and his wife Annie, née Turner. He had an older sister and a younger brother, Noel. After attending Newcastle under Lyme High School, he entered St. John's College, Oxford, gaining a first in his BA in 1946 and MA in 1950. He was a Fereday Fellow of St. John's between 1946 and 1949. On 4 July 1947, Wain married Marianne Uffenheimer (b. 1923 or 1924), but they divorced in 1956. Wain then married Eirian Mary James (1920 - 1988), deputy director of the recorded sound department of the British Council, on 1 January 1960. They had three sons and lived mainly in Wolvercote, Oxford. Wain married his third wife, Patricia Adams (born 1942 or 1943), an art teacher, in 1989. He died in Oxford on 24 May 1994.
3.5/5. I loved the story arc of the protagonist and the writing about not just music itself, but the inner call initiating this path towards jazz music. However, I was left with the feeling of a flawed story structure that did not require 3 different points of view (son, father, aunt), which weakened the bildungsroman trajectory. It should have all been Jeremy’s story to tell. The father and aunt’s views were rather flat, and I felt myself fatigued most during these sections.
Some very interesting supporting characters (Tim, Percy) who always refreshed the storyline whenever they appeared: Percy, an afro-american, valve trombone player(!), offered insight into racism both in America & Britain, and showed that black jazzmen in Paris were not just accepted but welcomed - I really wanted to be friends with Percy too; and Tim, a free-loading, good-time charlie character, was fun to read about his picaresque approach to life, sex, booze, money, and a loose relationship with the law.
Ok story, but for a better read I would recommened Frank Conroy’s “Body & Soul” if you’ve not read it yet.
My son bought me this second hand as a joke (get it?). I loved it. If you grew up thinking your dad's morals were not for you (or if you still think that) you'll appreciate this. If you like the angry young men, or jazz, you'll love it. Much underrated book in my opinion.